| Is it possible to receive a degree in one field and switch to a completely different field for graduate study?

Is it possible to receive a degree in one field and switch to a completely different field for graduate study?

Mo asked:


I have a BS in communications, but would like to do work in the non-profit sector. It seems that it would be helpful for me to do graduate work in some relate field such as social work, education, public health/administration or Community Development and Planning. Is it possible to do a complete switch up like that?

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Comments

6 Responses to “Is it possible to receive a degree in one field and switch to a completely different field for graduate study?”

  1. canes77 on April 6th, 2009 9:54 pm

    Yes, you may have some undergraduate prerequisite courses you have to take before you can begin your graduate course work, but it is possible. I had a friend in college who had a BA in English and got his masters in accounting. He did have to take a year’s worth of prerequisite courses before he could begin the master’s program though. I think he was classified as non-degree seeking since he wasn’t getting the bachelor’s just the masters.

  2. Found-1 on April 9th, 2009 1:09 pm

    Of course. Many grad programs have limits on how many students they let in per year and the deadlines are very early. Be sure you plan plenty of time ahead and have all your funding worked out before then.

  3. Callum W on April 10th, 2009 8:19 am

    As far as I know, your graduate studies field can be completely different from whatever you have your undergrad degree in.

    I have heard though that in order to study in some graduate programs, there are certain course requirements (or even an amount of hours required) that must be fulfilled prior to be beginning studies

  4. Dr_Adventure on April 12th, 2009 8:06 am

    Yes, all grad programs are open, though some will be harder to make the switch to. It is all about meeting the prerequisites. For example switching from Communication to Biology would be much more of a challenge than switching to social work.

    The piece with graduate work is that it is important to determine what field you really want to go into. Grad work in different than undergrad in that it requires more of your autonomous learning.

    Once you know which field you want to study - see what prerequisites are required - and then make sure you have them - if not you can usually go to your local community college and take those courses.

    DA

  5. Jam J on April 12th, 2009 7:53 pm

    Absolutely,
    especially your interest in Community development.
    I am a graduate student in Architecture with a BA in Art History, and I know a ton of people in my program and Landscape architecture and even URBAN PLANNING with degrees in Business, Art, agriculture, engineering, design, sociology…..etc.

    And just a note:
    The most profitable sector of architecture right now is healthcare / retirement community design (due to the baby boomers) just a thought.

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